What is Salmon Katsu? A Guide to This Japanese Salmon Dish

Salmon katsu is a tasty Japanese dish made by breading salmon fillets in panko breadcrumbs and frying until crispy, It is then typically served with a sweet and savory tonkatsu sauce Salmon katsu is a delicious way to enjoy salmon with a fun twist!

In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about making this dish at home. We’ll discuss:

• What is katsu?
• Salmon katsu ingredients
• How to make salmon katsu
• Tonkatsu sauce
• Serving suggestions
• Salmon katsu nutrition
• Tips for making salmon katsu

So let’s get started and learn all about this wonderful Japanese salmon dish!

What is Katsu?

Katsu is a Japanese style of cooking that involves coating a protein like chicken, pork or fish in breadcrumbs (usually panko) and then frying it until golden brown and crispy. The term “katsu” comes from the English word “cutlet.”

Katsu dishes are a popular staple in Japanese cuisine. Chicken katsu, a breaded and fried chicken cutlet, is the most famous. Still, the katsu method can be used for other meats, like pork (tonkatsu), fish (fish katsu), and even vegetables (veggie katsu).

Salmon katsu is simply the katsu technique applied to salmon fillets. It provides a crunchy exterior coating contrasted with a tender, flaky salmon interior.

Salmon Katsu Ingredients

To make salmon katsu at home you will need just a handful of ingredients:

• Salmon fillets – skinless is best for even cooking
• All-purpose flour
• Egg
• Panko breadcrumbs – gives the crispiest coating
• Vegetable oil – for frying
• Tonkatsu sauce – a sweet & savory dipping sauce

Optional seasonings:

• Salt
• Pepper
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder

That’s it! Simple pantry ingredients are all you need to make this delicious dish. Now let’s get into the easy method.

How to Make Salmon Katsu

Making salmon katsu is a simple breading and frying process:

1. Pat the salmon fillets dry and season them with salt and pepper.

2. Set up your breading station with three dishes – one with flour, one with beaten egg, and one with panko crumbs.

3. Dredge the salmon in flour, coating both sides. Shake off any excess.

4. Dip the floured salmon in the egg, making sure it’s evenly coated. Allow any excess to drip off.

5. Coat the salmon in panko crumbs, pressing gently so they adhere.

6. Shallow fry the breaded salmon in hot vegetable oil just until golden, crispy and cooked through. Flip halfway during cooking.

That’s really all there is to it! A simple breading method results in a crispy, crunchy salmon fillet that tastes amazing.

Now let’s talk about the quintessential sauce that takes this dish to the next level…

Tonkatsu Sauce

No salmon katsu is complete without a drizzle of tonkatsu sauce! This Japanese staple has a sweet, savory and slightly tart flavor that perfectly complements the fried salmon fillet.

Tonkatsu sauce ingredients usually include:

• Ketchup
• Worcestershire sauce
• Soy sauce
• Mirin (sweet rice wine)
• Sugar
• Garlic
• Ginger

You can find bottled tonkatsu sauce at well-stocked grocery stores, Asian supermarkets or on Amazon. But it’s also easy to make your own!

To do so, simply combine all the ingredients in a saucepan and simmer until thickened to your desired consistency. Then drizzle over the salmon katsu before serving. It takes this dish to the next level!

Serving Suggestions for Salmon Katsu

Salmon katsu is delicious on its own, but there are also lots of tasty ways to serve it:

• On a bed of white or brown rice

• With steamed or sautéed vegetables like broccoli, green beans or asparagus

• In a sandwich or wrap with veggies and tonkatsu sauce

• On top of a green salad

• With sautéed kale or cabbage

• With edamame, cucumber and rice as a rice bowl

• With udon noodles and miso soup for a Japanese meal

• With homemade potato wedges or fries

However you choose to serve it, the combination of crispy fried salmon with the sweet and salty tonkatsu sauce is sure to satisfy!

Salmon Katsu Nutrition

Compared to fattier pork or chicken katsu, salmon katsu provides some excellent nutritional benefits:

• High in protein – salmon is packed with lean protein to keep you full.

• Rich in omega-3s – salmon contains anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids like DHA and EPA.

• Good source of B vitamins – salmon provides niacin, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6.

• Low mercury – salmon tends to be low in mercury compared to other fish.

• Bone health – salmon is high in vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus for healthy bones.

While the panko coating and sauce do add some carbohydrates and sodium, the katsu technique helps retain more of the natural health benefits of salmon vs heavily breaded dishes.

So enjoy salmon katsu as part of an overall balanced diet and take advantage of those nutritional perks!

Tips for Making Salmon Katsu

Here are some handy tips to ensure homemade salmon katsu success:

• Use skinless salmon – the skin can prevent the coating from crisping up properly.

• Pat salmon dry before breading to help the coating adhere.

• Use thinner, evenly sized fillets for even frying.

• Set up your breading station efficiently – flour, egg, panko.

• Press panko gently into the fillet to help it stick.

• Use a thermometer to ensure salmon reaches 145°F internally.

• Let oil come back to temperature between batches for even cooking.

• Blot fried katsu on paper towels to remove excess oil.

• Keep finished katsu warm in a low oven if making multiple batches.

• Make extra tonkatsu sauce – it keeps well refrigerated for dipping all week!

Bring Japan Home With Salmon Katsu

Salmon katsu makes for a fabulous weeknight dinner, date night meal or even dinner party appetizer. It provides a lighter, healthier take on katsu that highlights the delicious flavor of salmon. Served with rice, veggies and that flavor-packed sauce, you simply can’t go wrong.

So next time you’re craving Japanese food, give this simple salmon katsu recipe a try! Crispy, crunchy and full of flavor, it brings a taste of Japan right to your own kitchen table.